These Brown Butter Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls take classic cinnamon rolls to the next level with rich brown butter, warm spices, and a creamy cream cheese icing. Made with a soft and fluffy brioche dough, these rolls are gooey in the center, filled with a fragrant cinnamon-cardamom filling, and topped with a luscious brown butter cream cheese icing. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Brioche Dough:
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry or instant yeast
- ½ cup (115g) whole milk, warmed to 110°F
- 1½ tablespoons (20g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cardamom
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature
For the Filling:
- 6 tablespoons (85g) brown butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup + ½ tablespoon (60g) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (12g) cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons cardamom
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 3 tablespoons (42g) brown butter, room temperature
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1-2 cups (113-227g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Directions
Make the Brioche Dough:
- Activate the yeast: If using active dry yeast, stir it into the warmed milk and sugar and let it sit for 15 minutes until foamy. If using instant yeast, proceed to the next step.
- Mix wet ingredients: Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract into the yeast mixture.
- Combine dry ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix flour, cardamom, and salt.
- Mix dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a dough hook for 3 minutes until it forms a dough ball.
- Incorporate butter: Add butter, one piece at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Knead: Increase speed to medium-high and mix for 6-8 minutes until the dough passes the windowpane test (stretch a small piece—if light passes through without tearing, it’s ready).
- First proof: Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise overnight in the fridge or for 1 hour at room temperature.
Make the Filling:
- Brown the butter: Heat butter over medium heat, swirling until golden brown with dark specks. Let it solidify in the fridge before using.
- Mix the filling: Beat brown butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom until combined.
Shape the Rolls:
- Roll out dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12″x18″ rectangle.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
- Roll and cut: Roll the dough from the short side into a log. Trim the ends and cut six 2-inch rolls using dental floss or a sharp knife.
- Second proof: Arrange rolls in a 9-inch cake pan, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until lightly golden.
Make the Cream Cheese Icing:
- Mix icing: Beat brown butter and cream cheese together. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth.
- Frost and serve: Spread icing over warm rolls and enjoy!
Nutrients (Per Serving – 1 Roll)
- Calories: 683 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Cholesterol: 156mg
- Sodium: 411mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 34g
The Secret to Perfect Cinnamon Rolls: Brown Butter
Brown butter is the key ingredient that sets these cinnamon rolls apart from others. Also known as “beurre noisette” in French cuisine, brown butter is made by cooking unsalted butter until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma. The process of browning the butter deepens its flavor, creating a rich, toasty base that adds an unexpected depth to the filling and icing of the rolls.
The rich and nutty flavor of brown butter complements the warmth of the cinnamon and cardamom filling, creating a perfectly balanced taste in every bite. Using brown butter in both the filling and the cream cheese icing allows for a smooth and harmonious flavor that ties the entire roll together.
Why Cardamom? The Spice That Enhances Flavors
Cardamom is a spice that is often associated with Scandinavian and Middle Eastern baking, and it is the perfect complement to cinnamon in these rolls. Known for its warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor, cardamom adds an exotic touch to traditional cinnamon rolls. The spice’s complex flavor profile is made up of hints of citrus, ginger, and floral notes, which makes it an intriguing addition to baked goods.
When combined with cinnamon, cardamom enhances the warmth and depth of the spice, making it more aromatic and flavorful. The sweetness of the brown sugar in the filling balances the slight heat from the cardamom, resulting in a flavorful, multi-dimensional taste. This unique combination sets these cinnamon rolls apart from the ordinary, offering a more refined and luxurious flavor.
The Brioche Dough: Soft, Fluffy, and Perfect for Cinnamon Rolls
One of the standout features of these Brown Butter Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls is the use of brioche dough. Brioche is a rich, buttery bread that has a tender, slightly sweet crumb. It’s a dough that is often used for pastries and sweet breads, and it is the ideal choice for cinnamon rolls because of its soft and airy texture.
The dough is enriched with eggs, butter, and milk, which gives it a light and fluffy texture. When baked, the dough becomes golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying soft and gooey on the inside. The butteriness of the dough perfectly complements the brown butter and cream cheese icing, making every bite of these cinnamon rolls a true indulgence.
The process of making brioche dough may take some time, but the results are well worth it. The dough needs to be allowed to rise twice—once after mixing and once after shaping the rolls—ensuring that the rolls are light, fluffy, and full of flavor. This dough provides the perfect base for the brown butter, cinnamon, and cardamom filling.
The Filling: Sweet, Spicy, and Perfectly Balanced
The filling for these cinnamon rolls is a simple yet flavorful mixture of brown butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom. The brown butter brings a deep, nutty richness, while the cinnamon provides warmth and the cardamom adds a touch of exotic spice. The combination of these ingredients creates a sweet and fragrant filling that’s just the right balance of sweetness and spice.
The brown sugar helps to caramelize the filling, making it slightly gooey and sticky as the rolls bake. This caramelized filling is what makes these rolls extra special, as it creates a deliciously sweet and spiced syrup that gets absorbed into the dough, giving the rolls a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
As the rolls bake, the filling oozes out and infuses the dough with flavor. The result is a soft and gooey cinnamon roll with just the right amount of sweetness and spice.
The Cream Cheese Icing: Luscious and Rich
The final touch on these Brown Butter Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls is the cream cheese icing, made with brown butter and cream cheese for an ultra-creamy and decadent topping. The brown butter adds richness to the icing, while the cream cheese provides a slight tanginess that balances the sweetness of the rolls.
The icing is easy to make and can be drizzled over the rolls while they are still warm, allowing it to melt into the layers of the rolls. The result is a luscious, silky smooth icing that adds an extra layer of indulgence to the rolls. For those who enjoy a slightly more decadent topping, you can also add a little extra powdered sugar for added sweetness.
Why These Cinnamon Rolls Are Perfect for Any Occasion
These Brown Butter Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for any occasion. They’re a wonderful treat for brunch, holidays, or a special family breakfast. The richness of the brown butter, the warmth of the cinnamon and cardamom, and the creamy icing make these rolls a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
Great for Special Occasions
Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or celebrating a special occasion, these cinnamon rolls are a surefire way to impress your guests. The combination of rich flavors and the fluffy, decadent texture of the rolls make them the perfect indulgence for a festive breakfast or brunch spread.
Ideal for Meal Prep and Leftovers
These rolls also make a great option for meal prep. You can make them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their soft and gooey texture. This makes them a convenient and delicious option for busy mornings.
Conclusion: A Perfect Balance of Sweet, Savory, and Spice
Brown Butter Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls elevate the classic cinnamon roll to a whole new level. With the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter, the warmth of cinnamon and cardamom, and the creamy cream cheese icing, these rolls are a true indulgence that’s perfect for any occasion. The brioche dough provides a light, fluffy base that perfectly complements the flavorful filling, making every bite a comforting and satisfying experience.
Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply treating yourself to a cozy breakfast, these cinnamon rolls will not disappoint. Their unique blend of spices and buttery richness creates a luxurious flavor profile that will leave you craving more. Try making these Brown Butter Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls for your next breakfast or brunch and experience the magic of this irresistible twist on a classic treat.
